Lanka ready to tour Pak, if India doesn't: SLC

Arjuna Ranatunga on Monday said he would not mind sending their cricket team to Pakistan if India refuses to tour their subcontinent neighbours.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Colombo:

Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Arjuna Ranatunga on Monday said he would not mind sending their cricket team to Pakistan if India refuses to tour their subcontinent neighbours as scheduled next month.

"We will not hesitate to sent our team to Pakistan in case we are invited," Ranatunga said.

The World Cup winning former captain said he was sure Pakistan would provide enough security arrangement to them.

"Even otherwise Pakistan has proved it can provide adequate security as it did during the Asia Cup Cricket tournament," he said.

India's tour of Pakistan, scheduled in January-February, is in jeopardy in the wake of recent Mumbai terror attacks, allegedly carried out by people from Pakistan.

Ranatunga described Sachin Tendulkar's century, that helped India register a six-wicket win against England in their first Test, as one of his best, and said it was also a victory for the nation fighting terrorism.

Ranatunga said Tendulkar's century during the trying times, when the match was precariously poised, proved that the little master could always play the sheet anchor's role when India needed it the most.

"I think both Tendulkar and Yuvraj played a great knock today in a pitch that was turning and provided assistance to the bowlers," he said.

Ranatunga hailed Tendulkar's dedication en route his 41st century to Mumbai, saying he was hopeful the people, especially in the commercial capital Mumbai, will come out of the shock of the terror attack at various places there.

Ranatunga, however, said he felt very dearly for Rahul Dravid and predicted the "Wall" will come out of his poor run and start scoring runs once again.

"Dravid should be encouraged as he has contributed to many wins for India and has some years of cricket left," Ranatunga said.

Ranatunga, who is also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), said going by its current form India could be ranked one of the best in the world.